Beginner MTB/Off road trails in sydney

[the dang]

Hi all

Usually my google skills are okay, but I can't seem to find a good website which has info on some beginner mtb/off road trails in Sydney. Can anyone help out??

Cheers

Johnson

[Robski]

Don't know of any 'in' Sydney but if you head up to the mountains there is some at Winmalee and Springwood that are just firetrails with small parts of single track. Have a look at Trailflix.com or bikely and there are a few good ones...


Cheers

[alchemist]

The original (and the best) www.thefattyhippy.com

www.trailflix.com.au

www.nobmob.com

[justinfox]

Trailflix is great!

Loftus is a great place to start riding. I take all the new guys there.

If you want dead easy and scenic try Lady Carrington Drive.

[glawrence2000]

Mate,
Check these guys out - every track ridden and rated with photos and maps.

http://www.nobmob.com

[herzog]

Centennial park fenceline track is a pretty easy one close to the city.

[toolonglegs]

Centennial park fenceline track is a pretty easy one close to the city.

Seen a lot of people chased down on that one by rangers on moto's...not sure if they fine you or warn you.

[herzog]

Centennial park fenceline track is a pretty easy one close to the city.

Seen a lot of people chased down on that one by rangers on moto's...not sure if they fine you or warn you.

When did you see this? It says you're in Lyon, so I presume not that recently? I can't ever remember seeing a ranger on the CP fenceline and definitely not on a motorbike!

From Farkin forums:

Hi - my girlfriend is currently 'learning' too. She is a roadie, so doesnt struggle for fitness, but its the tech skills and nerve that is holding her back.
We went to Manly Dam and it was too tough.

What I did find though was that within Centennial Park there is some really good stuff to practice on. Rocks, roots as well as little sections of single-track. The rocks offer some good places to try drop-offs as well as hopping up things.

The Rangers there seemed fine with us doing it and came over for a chat at one point, so it doesnt look there it was 'illegal'.

Maybe this would be a good place to take your newbies?

[toolonglegs]

Centennial park fenceline track is a pretty easy one close to the city.

Seen a lot of people chased down on that one by rangers on moto's...not sure if they fine you or warn you.

When did you see this? It says you're in Lyon, so I presume not that recently? I can't ever remember seeing a ranger on the CP fenceline and definitely not on a motorbike!

From Farkin forums:

Hi - my girlfriend is currently 'learning' too. She is a roadie, so doesnt struggle for fitness, but its the tech skills and nerve that is holding her back.
We went to Manly Dam and it was too tough.

What I did find though was that within Centennial Park there is some really good stuff to practice on. Rocks, roots as well as little sections of single-track. The rocks offer some good places to try drop-offs as well as hopping up things.

The Rangers there seemed fine with us doing it and came over for a chat at one point, so it doesnt look there it was 'illegal'.

Maybe this would be a good place to take your newbies?

It is illegal and pick the right ranger and they will probably fine you.
Here is the rule...specifically rule e.
I have dealt with them a few times for photoshoots and they can be a pain in the arse for sticking exactly to the rules.


Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust Regulation 2004
Current version for 1 July 2008 to date (accessed 18 February 2009 at 18:41)
Part 2Clause 24
<< page >>
24 Use of cycles, pedal cars and rollerblades

(1) A person must not on the Trust lands, except with the written permission of, and in the manner approved by, the Trust or the Director, do any of the following:
(a) ride a cycle or rollerblades in a group of more than 16 persons,
(b) ride a cycle or rollerblades alongside 2 or more persons,
(c) ride a cycle or rollerblades closer than 3 metres behind, or while holding onto, a moving motor vehicle (that is, slip streaming),
(d) ride a pedal-car or a similar device except on a part of the Trust lands designated by the Trust or the Director for that activity,
(e) ride a cycle or rollerblades on a footway, building forecourt or paved or grassed area or on an area in which the activity is prohibited by the Trust or the Director by a sign displayed on or near the area.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.

(2) For the purposes of subclause (1) (c), holding onto a moving motor vehicle includes being towed behind the vehicle by means of a rope or other similar item.

[herzog]

(e) ride a cycle or rollerblades on a footway, building forecourt or paved or grassed area or on an area in which the activity is prohibited by the Trust or the Director by a sign displayed on or near the area.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.

I guess this is the bit you're referring to. Next question, is singletrack considered a "grassed area"?

[toolonglegs]

(e) ride a cycle or rollerblades on a footway, building forecourt or paved or grassed area or on an area in which the activity is prohibited by the Trust or the Director by a sign displayed on or near the area.
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.

I guess this is the bit you're referring to. Next question, is singletrack considered a "grassed area"?

Well it was grassed till those bloody MTB'ers trashed the place

[sogood]

What's "10 penalty units"? 10 lashes on the rack?

[trailgumby]

Maaaate, there're plenty of good rides in Sydney. Around Terry Hills there's an entire network that's not too technically taxing. Nobmob has the details. They have regular newbie rides. I'm sure they won't mind you joining up and tagging along.

If you don't mind some steep climbs, there are fire roads around the back of St Ives Showground that go off out into the valley that we haven't yet explored. There's also a flat loop around Narrabeen Lake (see the NobMob site) that goes (legally) through Cromer Golf Course and the NSW Academy of Sport that is a great place to introduce reluctant girlfriends and timid daughters to the joys of getting out on a bike in the bush.

If singletrack is your thing, Ourimbah (an hour north) is brilliant, but what I would call "not too hard" technically (ie, not as tough as parts of Manly Dam) may not sit in quite the same place on your scale at this stage in your skills development.

If you do want to tackle Manly Dam feel free to PM me, I can also have a look at the setup of your bike if you like. Although, with the rains the last two weeks it is going to be muddy and riding it in that condition is frowned upon due to the damage it does, so that might be a couple of weeks away.

So long as it's not actually p!ssing down, we (the son and I) often go out and fart around riding down stairs, practice hopping off things and so on just to stay in tune. It's a good way to gradually expand your skills without exceeding your limits. You might like to do the same in the meantime.

[herzog]

If you don't mind some steep climbs, there are fire roads around the back of St Ives Showground that go off out into the valley that we haven't yet explored.

That's Cascades - an excellent track. Technically fairly easy, but some mad hills.

[alchemist]

What's "10 penalty units"? 10 lashes on the rack?

1 penalty unit = $110.

[toolonglegs]

What's "10 penalty units"? 10 lashes on the rack?

1 penalty unit = $110.

...and the fine for riding in Nat Parks off the firetrails except where specifically designated is something like up $3500....don't stop for rangers

[shandrick]

just like to jump on the topic and ask if any one knows any places i can just go for a ride in the arvos after work in east sydney to build up my beginner skills

cheers ... ricky

[trailgumby]

Find a public golf course and ride the golf-cart trails after dark.

Erm, probably requires some lights, though...